* After trading little changed earlier in the session, Bay Street joined the global rout in equities as the benchmark S&P 500 shed more than 4 percent, putting the index in correction territory.

* Selling in Toronto accelerated into the closing bell, with the TSX ending at the day’s low, making for its lowest close since Sept. 11.

* The losses added on to a retreat that began on Monday, putting the index on track to decline more than 3 percent for the week.

* Suncor Energy Inc reversed earlier declines and was one of the biggest drags on the index, down 2.4 percent at C$41.44 after it reported higher fourth-quarter profit on stronger oil prices and lower costs.

* The energy group retreated 2.8 percent as oil settled down 64 cents at $61.15 a barrel after data showed U.S. crude output had reached record highs.

* The financials group also dragged the market lower, slipping 1.6 percent as Royal Bank of Canada declined 1.8 percent to C$99.24 and Bank of Montreal fell 2.4 percent to C$95.51.

* The selling was broad-based with all 10 of the index’s main sectors in the red. The subindex of gold producers eked out a small gain of 0.1 percent as investors searched for safety.

* Shares of Bombardier Inc declined 2.1 percent to C$3.20 after the plane and train maker missed out on a contract to provide rail cars for one of the world’s biggest light rail systems in Montreal.